By Selene Muldowney
The Artemis J-1300 BCD is yet another innovative product introduced by IST. This BCD was created exclusively for women divers, featuring adjustment features (including shoulder-width adjustment), personal harness system, support and comfort accommodating the female body. Made from durable denier nylon, the Artemis features a thick back pad for support and supplemental padding around the hips and waist offering extra comfort. The Artemis is stable and flexible enabling female divers to move gracefully in the water.  Women divers will find the power inflator smaller and easier to use affording manageable buoyancy that can be easily controlled, as well as angled weight pockets engineered for simple removal.  As an added bonus, IST included two generous sized pockets. Overall a comfortable BCD made specifically for women divers. I found it easy to use, comfortable and physically meeting all my feminine prerequisites offering me snug support without constriction. If you want to experience the new IST Artemis please visit their website www.istsports.com

A robust and comfortable back flotation jacket the ScubaPro LiteHawk integrates performance features to deliver comfort and easy handling. Built with the latest back flotation technology this unit positions the air bladder in the back, providing exceptional freedom of movement around chest and shoulders. It sports a 3-dump deflation system enabling divers to dump air from a variety of underwater positions. The ScubaPro LiteHawk also includes streamlined air cell technology, automatic volume control of air cell through compression straps and rotating quick release shoulder buckles as well as adjustable shoulder straps. The LiteHawk also has a padded back pad and two movable accessory pockets. The lift capacity is 56 lbs. For more info visit www.scubapro.com.

Cressi has introduced a new back inflation travel BC designed to help make dive travel more affordable and enjoyable. The new Air Travel BCD has started shipping to Cressi-affiliated dive centers. The Air Travel BCD was developed in response to divers wanting a lightweight BC that would be more appropriate for travel – specifically ‘Air Travel.’

The Air Travel is light weight, extremely durable and it folds up into its included travel bag. To help introduce the Air Travel to the dive industry, Cressi has launched a national advertising and promotional campaign. For more details, visit Cressi at www.cressi.com.

The TUSA Conquest BCJ-7000 is a new Buoyancy Compensator featuring all the bells and whistles. Some of the bells include a 3D bladder system, enhanced lumbar and back support, an independent harness system, (A.W.L.S) advanced weight load system, (Q.P.E.V) Quick inflate and deflate system, 5 stainless steel D-rings, plus 4 zipper pockets including one drop down pouch. Grommets are built in for knife attachment. On the upper left shoulder is a mounted retractor pocket. The Conquest BC has a 30lb weight capacity: 20lbs are diver releasable. A weight belt could handle any additional weight, which is the way many divers prefer it already; the less weight you release at one time, the more control you have over the slower ascent rate. The Conquest has between 38 to 50lbs of lift depending on BC size. TUSA is very proud of their new BC, TUSA divers will be too. www.tusa.com